Billy Marrows'
Grande FamÍlia
Grande Família is a critically-acclaimed chamber jazz project
led by award-winning guitarist and composer Billy Marrows.
Three different sized Grande Família line-ups explore Billy's emotive, melodically infectious contemporary jazz compositions through unique instrumental combinations
featuring strong musical personalities.
"A triumph...Marrows has created a spectacular new ensemble"
Jazz Views (UK)
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About
Grande Família was formed in 2023 to record Billy’s debut album 'Penelope' (shortlisted for Jazz Album of the Year in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2025), a surprise for his mother Penny during her struggle with pancreatic cancer. Released in her memory in January 2024, the album received Editor's Choice in Jazzwise and has raised over £6,000 for World Child Cancer.
The 'Penelope' album launch at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho sold out over two months in advance and was released as a live album on Discus Music in March 2025, celebrated with nine-date UK tour in spring 2025 that included a sold-out two-night return to Pizza Express.
'The Penelope Album Live' received 4-stars in both Jazzwise and All About Jazz, who noted that it "magnifies the invention, charm and compositional strength of the original". The Grande Família Sextet’s EP 'Mount Tibidabo' also received 4 stars in Jazzwise.
Grande Família perform as a 12-piece, sextet and chamber quartet, featuring outstanding, highly creative musicians and including some of Billy's family.
Musicians involved have played with the artists such as Chelsea Carmichael, Corey Wong, Shabaka, Bryan Ferry Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Jordan Rakei.
Find out more below...
Discography
This live album captures the debut performance of the 12-piece Grande Família, recorded at London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club. The concert, which sold out two months in advance and received a full standing ovation, features expanded arrangements of music from his critically acclaimed debut album 'Penelope'.
***10% of proceeds go to World Child Cancer*** worldchildcancer.org
★★★★ Jazzwise
"66 minutes of grace, beauty, and fire"
"Billy’s guitar when heard solo also holds a melancholy and poignancy that affects the listener"
Mr Olivetti, FREQ Magazine
The 'Mount Tibidabo' EP features the Grande Família Sextet, made up of three of the horn players and the drummer from Grande Família, and one of Billy's long time bass associates.
The EP was recorded in the round at the Vortex Jazz Club, surrounded by some of Penny Marrows' paintings (Billy's mother).
***25% of proceeds go to World Child Cancer*** worldchildcancer.org
"Marrows plays with such lyrical melodicism...you can't help but be seduced into his charmed world"
Ruth Fisher, Jazz FM
"You get drawn into the way he uses space, letting each chord and sound resonate for emotional effect”
Soweto Kinch, BBC Radio 3 Boxing Day 2024 'Round Midnight episode
In March 2023 Billy's mother Penny was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Billy, his girlfriend Teresa and two of his cousins performed for her at a family gathering in April. She loved it, so Billy decided to make this charity album as a surprise for her, generously supported by friends and family.
Penny realised how fortunate she was to have access to such good cancer care, compared to others around the world, so they chose to raise money for World Child Cancer, a charity that helps children to beat cancer in countries where it is needed the most. So far the album has raised over £6,000. Penny was an artist and the album and single artworks showcase her striking paintings.
***100% of proceeds go to World Child Cancer*** worldchildcancer.org
"An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive"
★★★★ Editor's Choice JAZZWISE (UK)
Taking Off Feature | Review | Editor's Choice best albums of February 2024
★★★★ The Jazz Mann (UK)
Richard Williams, The Blue Moment
★★★★ All About Jazz
Live Reviews
Monica Costa, London Mums Magazine
Review of day two of the sold-out two-night album launch at Pizza Express Jazz Club on 28-29 April 2025
"Marrows’ melodic intuition always shone through"
"Comprised of big characters and full of improvisational flair"
"Raw and emotionally engaging"
Jazzwise
Review of Grande Família playing 'Penelope' live at a sold-out Vortex Jazz Club, 13 Sept 2024:
Line Ups:
Grande Família 12-piece
The 12-piece Grande Família is a unique large ensemble that features several of Billy's family alongside some of his favourite musicians.
Teresa Macedo Ferreira viola
Dijan Mbanu flute
Gustavo Clayton Marucci bass clarinet
Chris Williams alto sax
Tom Ridout tenor/soprano saxes
Mike Soper trumpet/flugel
Olli Martin trombone
Anna Drysdale French horn
Billy Marrows electric/acoustic guitars
Angus Bayley piano
Jonas Mbanu electric bass
Tom Potter drums
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Grande Família Sextet
A dynamic, compact version of the ensemble, the Grande Família Sextet features a powerful combination of three horns, guitar and an explosive rhythm section.
Tom Ridout tenor/soprano saxes
Mike Soper trumpet/flugel
Olli Martin trombone
Billy Marrows electric/acoustic guitars
Flo Moore electric bass
Tom Potter drums
Grande Família Quartet
The most intimate version, the Grande Família Quartet, features an unusual drummer/bassless chamber line-up.
Mike Soper trumpet/flugel
Tom Ridout tenor/alto saxes & recorders
Gustavo Clayton Marucci clarinet/bass clarinet
Billy Marrows steel string/nylon acoustic guitars
